2 US nationals among 3 dead while climbing Mt Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas
MENDOZA PROVINCE, ARGENTINA: Two Americans and one Norwegian have reportedly died while climbing Mt Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in Argentina. Ayn Vincent Day went ahead with his journey towards the peak despite being warned by the guide. He died on Wednesday, February 8. His body was recovered from a nearly 7,000-meter mountain, Aconcagua, confirmed deputy commissioner Marcos Paez, the head of the rescue team.
The 62-year-old Moi Oystein, of Norway, died on February 4, and was the first fatality of the 2022-2023 ascent season. He got sick at a spot on the route known as La Cueva, at 6,000 meters above the sea level. The first American to have lost his life this season, which began in December, was US military veteran John Michael Magness, 58, who managed to reach Camp Independencia at a recorded elevation of 6,300 meters. The former officer was a member of the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund which helped veterans and their families with education expenses. As per the organization, Magness and two other Army veterans were part of the “Aconcagua Challenge” expedition to raise funds and awareness for Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund.
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What was 'Aconcagua Challenge?'
“It is with immense sadness that we report to you that our Team Johnny Mac climber John Magness passed away after summiting Mount Aconcagua in Argentina this past Saturday. He is pictured here at the 22,837’ summit! John succumbed to medical complications in the hours after reaching the summit of one of the highest mountains in the world,” the group wrote on its Facebook account. It also read, “He was our classmate, teammate, and friend; he was our hero, serving others until the end.” Aconcagua Mountain in Argentina, bordering Chile, is the tallest outside of Asia and is the dream of many climbers around the world. It is counted among the so-called Seven Summits on the planet, reports CBS News.
Who all were participants of the expedition?
The post also informed about other American mountaineers “John and two other Army veterans, Don Fallin, and Keith Brown, participated in the “Aconcagua Challenge” expedition to raise funds and awareness for Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund. Don and Keith are now our “boots on the ground,” helping to bring John home to the US swiftly.” Tyler Armstrong, a 9-year-old California boy created history in 2013 after successfully scaling Mt Aconcagua and earning the title of ‘youngest person’ to reach its peak. As per Argentina media, five other deaths were reported this season of mountaineers in the area of El Chalten. It is located in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, 2,300 kilometers south of Buenos Aires.